NationalChamps.net
is proud to now have our very own defensive analyst for
each week's hindsights. Matt Priesmeyer is a savvy
young man who, at just 14, is deeply entrenched in our
favorite sport. His breakdowns and understanding of the
game are worthy and true, so we feel strongly about this
future journalist and his writing. As the site's editor,
I know I wasn't even close to this level of football analysis
at that age. So follow the rise and writings of our fledging
expert.

TEAM

Michigan:
Purdue won't do it, they did not win in Ann Arbor this year.
They haven't won there since 1966. The Michigan defense wouldn't
allow it to happen, either, allowing just three points to
the visiting Boilermakers. Kyle Orton got sacked seven times,
getting hit almost every play. Orton went 18-of-37 for 184
yards passing, no touchdown passes and two interceptions.
The running game could only muster 58 yards. Purdue had three
turnovers. The Wolverines and Coach Lloyd Carr will face in
state rival and Big Ten surprise Michigan State in East Lansing
next Saturday. This is a game that might significantly change
the Big Ten Championship picture.

Ole
Miss: The Ole Miss Rebels upset (then) 21st-ranked Arkansas
in Oxford to take the lead in the SEC West. Arkansas quarterback
Matt Jones only went 12-of-29 for 140 yards, no TDs and one
interception. The once-struggling Rebel defense stepped up
to the occasion in this big SEC showdown. The Rebels took
advantage of Arkansas without their leading rusher Cedric
Cobbs, as they held the Razorbacks to 82 rushing yards on
just over 30 attempts. Next week is South Carolina for Ole
Miss, in Oxford.

West
Virginia: The folks in Morgantown will never get over
this one. West Virginia 28 #3 Virginia Tech 7. What had been
a struggling season for the West Virginia Mountaineers got
better all of a sudden with a win over the rival Hokies. The
seven Virginia Tech points weren't even scored by the offense
- they were on a fumble return by the Virginia Tech defense.
That means West Virginia's defense shut out the offense of
Virginia Tech. West Virginia forced four turnovers. Virginia
Tech quarterback Bryan Randall went 14-22 for 146 yards, no
TDs and three interceptions. Virginia Tech's great running
back, Kevin Jones could never break out. He had just 57 of
the Virginia Tech 65 yards rushing.

Northwestern:
The Purple Wildcats had a big upset for homecoming against
Wisconsin. It was because of the defense. Northwestern made
the big plays when they had to for the win that gives Northwestern
(4-4) a legit shot at a bowl. Matt Schabert, the Wisconsin
quarterback went 20-36 for 193 yards, no TDs and one interception.
Wisconsin did do a good job in the run game though, going
for a combined 193 yards. But Northwestern would not let Wisconsin
have a nice sustained drive except once.

LSU:
LSU's Tigers absolutely took care of Auburn's Tigers. The
final was 31-7. Everyone expected the run game to be the big
part of Auburn's approach. Instead, it was the passing game.
Jason Campbell went 19-27 for 143 yards 1 touchdown and 0
interceptions. Carnell "Cadillac" Williams only
had 20 carries for 61 yards, but Auburn had 30 carries for
just 50 yards. Next, LSU will step outside the SEC to play
Louisiana Tech and Josh McCown. Then they have to travel to
Tuscaloosa, as LSU tries to get back to the SEC title game
like they did in 2001, when they upset Tennessee .

TEAM

Bernard
Lay, Pittsburgh: Lay's 20 yard fumble return broke the
game open against Syracuse. Pitt beat Syracuse 34-14. Pittsburgh
advanced to 2nd in the Big East with a 2-0 conference record
and they are now 5-2 overall.

Leon
Hall, DB, Michigan: Hall was a big part of Michigan's
day against Purdue. Both of Kyle Orton's interceptions were
made by this man, which ended two Purdue drives.

Yaacov
Yisrael, S, Penn State: Yisrael had an 83-yard interception
return for his first career TD, which gave Penn State the
early 7-0 lead over Iowa at Kinnick Stadium. It was his second
INT of the day. The Nittany Lions could not hold on to the
lead, though, and lost 26-14 to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Ronald
Nunn, Southern Cal: Ronald Nunn had a 57-yard interception
return against Washington that gave USC (7-1) the lead for
good. After the interception it was 14-7 USC. They went on
to roll on the Washington Huskies by the score of 43-23.

Kevin
Mitchell, LB, Oregon: Kevin Mitchell started Oregon's
crushing of Stanford with his 9-yard interception return to
make it 14-0. Oregon won the game 35-0.